Happy Mothers’ Day… A reminder of “Motherhood” to Mothers

“Mothers’ Day”, a day dedicated to one of the greatest beings ever. “A Mother”. From the very virtue of “motherhood”, indeed a one day celebration dedicated to this magnanimous institution cannot do justice to how it contributes to a child, a family, a neighborhood, a city, a country and the world at large.

Over time, somewhere, somehow, we have forgotten the essence of this day. Are we to celebrate “A Mother” or “Motherhood”? What defines a mother? For some reason, being a mother has become synonymous to giving birth to a child. Is that the only criteria? Is that the only reason why we should celebrate mothers? Quite often, all so familiar sermons by other family members, friends, elderly, clerics and other religious scholars (and anyone in the remotest of capacity of being able to tell a child how the mother should be treated), include placement of a mother at a certain level of reverence. Undoubtedly, that is where a mother belongs as her being tantamount to being the key to heaven.

What is it actually that has given a woman that status. Is it giving birth to a child? In my humble opinion, the answer is “NO”. Being a mother, to me, is a life-long process. A mother, indeed, plays a critical role in the making of a race. Why is it that we do not ever think about the reasons behind a “mother” being put on such a high pedestal? Just a few of these reasons include undying love, untiring sacrifice, untold influence and unfailing faith.

Hopefully the readers are able to differentiate between a mother who lays a foundation of a strong community with her love, affection, care, and a mother like Jezebel who creates hatred and uses the motherly influence to bring about the worst in children.

A small message to all the children who have a mother who is love and sacrifice personified: Even if you dedicate your entire life to your mother, you cannot possibly compensate one moment of a sleepless night. Hence, don’t try to repay, just be thankful and celebrate and let her see in front of her what fine children she has raised. Indeed there is no better satisfaction of hard labor than to witness the end-result. There may be someone who has not given birth to you, but has reflected upon “motherhood”. Extend your wishes and prayers to all those individuals too.

And a message to all those mothers who think giving birth to a child puts them on the same pedestal as a mother who is to be celebrated: There is a lot more to being a mother than just giving birth. It entails many a sacrifices, unconditional love, dispensing of knowledge and ensuring of raising fine children who would grow up to be tolerant, loving individuals, are just a few.

From what my vision and understanding allows me to believe, this day is not dedicated to “Mothers” but to “Motherhood”, to “Love”, to “Sacrifice”… indeed a few traits of which only a “Mother” can be a master, should one choose to be.

On a personal note, I would like all of you to please offer a prayer for “Arifa”, not a mother who gave birth to me, not someone I ever met, but someone who has defined my being, simply because of the way she raised her children and how she sacrificed, how she battled with cancer and ensured till her last breath that she does not become a liability. I am sure there are plenty of such beings who leave a mark and slowly carve life with utmost precision.  I am sure there are many such beautiful mothers out there. Offer a prayer for all motherly figures around the world and more important than that, pray for all children to have mothers with the characteristics of “motherhood” or have someone in their lives who is what a mother should be. Amen

At the end, please offer a prayer for my wife Sharmin who hasn’t slept one full night since January 20th 2003. That is when we had our first son and since then, she has to get up at least 3 times during the night just to see if all is well with the kids.

Happy “Motherhood” day to all. May all such individuals with the traits of “Motherhood” be blessed from the greatest of bounties and may all others realize what being a “Mother” means and that it is far beyond just giving birth.